Now, originally I might have had some sympathy for Rebecca Black. Originally. However, I don’t think I do anymore. No, that isn’t because I actually listened to her song. I did, but it really isn’t any worse than any of the other shmaltzy pop crap out there. No, it was because of comments she made.

You can read the article that pissed me off here. Of course, Rebecca Black is the person behind “Friday,” a new piece of pop crap (hint, there is a link to the video in the article so you can see this thing for yourself).

Apparently, her mom paid Ark Music Factory two grand to record this monstrosity for Rebecca. It apparently became quite the sensation (generating even more attention than Charlie Sheen), but not in a good way. People all over were having a great time ripping this song. Some of them went way over the line, but so did Rebecca as far as I’m concerned when she told the Daily Beast that it felt like she was being cyberbullied.

That’s where the sympathy ended for me. I know she’s only a 13 year old kid and has suddenly sprung into national attention from nowhere. However, this is celebrity. This is not cyberbullying. This isn’t like that poor girl who sent a boy she liked a revealing picture of herself and it got into the hands of a girl who didn’t like her and then to every school in the city. She was hounded every day, all the time. Whole groups got together who hated her, picking at her in person at school and through every social media outlet available, until she could take no more and killed herself.

Rebecca, this is not what is happening to you. Stop your fucking whining, you wussy little brat.

First off, your mom had two grand she could afford to waste on a music video dream for you. You are already doing better than most of the country. Your life is truly so hard.

Then, you put something out there for the public to consume. Yes, they ripped it. However, this is their opinion. They can do that. It isn’t cyberbullying. It isn’t even anything like it. You dishonor the people who have actually had to suffer that when you liken their experience to yours. For that, I mentally shun you.

Celebrity means attention. Good and bad. Yes, people are going to rip you. Yes, it will be a whole world of cruelty and vitriol that you have never before experienced. You will see humankind at its worst. However, that’s the deal. That’s what you signed on for. Ask Charlie Sheen. Ask Brittney Spears.

Admittedly, some comments that were made were way beyond acceptable. Somebody said they hoped she cut herself. Another wished she’d get an eating disorder so she’d look pretty. I don’t condone that these people had the right to say that. It went over the line.

They are horrible people for getting kicks off saying that to a 13 year old kid, but these aren’t her peers in a social group she can’t avoid. This isn’t a systematic grinding down of her until she is nothing. No, these are opinions about that stupid song.

I listened to a few seconds of the song, actually. It was about the most I could stomach. It is true, the song is vapid shit. It is true, I don’t think she is a very good singer. She’s got a nasally Fran Drescher thing in her voice that raises my hackles. However, she is far from the worst. Most pop songs are about that vapid. Plus, she’s only 13. Maybe some day she could be better. Dear lord, she isn’t good. Still, she isn’t as bad as it gets. Try listening to William Shatner singing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” You’ll see what horrible is.

So, Rebecca Black, stop fucking whining. You aren’t being cyberbullied. Don’t demean the people who endure that by saying that it feels like you are. This is fame, get used to it or get out. The attention may not be good, but you’ve got a huge amount of attention. Something can be done with it if you want. Hell, maybe try singing in Spanish. I can actually listen to Shakira’s music that way because it isn’t as vapid if I don’t know what she’s saying. Other than that, shut the fuck up.

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About David S. Atkinson

David S. Atkinson enjoys typing about himself in the third person, although he does not generally enjoy speaking in such a fashion. However, he is concerned about the Kierkegaard quote "Once you label me you negate me." He worries that if he attempts to define himself he will, in fact, nullify his existence...

I have to disagree with you. While I agree that criticism of the song is certainly not bullying of any kind, I think the comments you acknowledge are unacceptable might be. And bear in mind that 4chan have published her home address and contact details, so she may be having more to contend with than just comments made on youtube or on internet fora that she can avoid; if she has had telephone messages or e-mails wishing her harm, that wouldn’t differ from what you describe other people as enduring.

Also, even if she isn’t, she is only 13 and hasn’t the perspective to bring on what she’s experiencing.

In short, I think you are a little too harsh on her. She could never have expected such a massive reaction to her song, and must have felt overwhelmed at first. All things considered, she seems to be coping pretty well.

You’re certainly free to disagree. If she could be excused from foreseeing this, though, I think perhaps her mother had an obligation to warn her. Regardless, seeing she is actually making some pretty decent money off this, I still don’t really have any sympathy for her.

I had not heard about that. It would certainly raise my opinion of her if she did. I still bet she manages to come off pretty good from this, all things considered, but I’ll tip my hat to her if she makes a difference for the tsunami victims.